Clan Boyd

1350s, the Boyd’s began building Dean Castle at Kilmarnock/Ayrshire. Dean became their main seat with the castle being expanded over the years into what can be seen today.

1400s early, Boyd’s build Portencross Castle on the shore at Seamill south of Largs/Ayrshire on land gifted to them by Bruce. Portencross Castle was built to make use of the small harbour there.

1467, The Boyd’s continued support of Scottish Kings led to them having exceptionally close links to the royals for many years. Thomas Boyd married King James II sister Princess Mary with which he was awarded the title Earl of Arran. Law Castle overlooking West Kilbride/Ayrshire was built for Thomas Boyd and Princess Mary at that time.

The marriage of Thomas Boyd to Princess Mary soon began rumours the Boyd’s had ambitions of gaining the throne of Scotland. In 1469, Lord Boyd, his son Thomas, the Earl of Arran, and his brother Alexander, were summoned before the king and parliament to answer charges brought against them. Fearing an unfair trial and execution, Lord Boyd fled to England. Thomas, in Europe at the time, decided to remain in Europe where he was safe. Alexander, the only one to face trial, was executed for treason. Princess Mary returned to Scotland in an attempt to have her husband cleared of all charges. The king detained her on arrival until he procured an annulment of her marriage. Princess Mary later married Lord Hamilton.

James Boyd, 2nd Lord Boyd, was killed at 16 by Lord Montgomery setting of a feud that lasted 77 years.

Robert Boyd, 4th Lord Boyd, slew Patrick Montgomery in 1523 and Sir Neil Montgomery in 1547.

The Boyd’s titles and lands were restored by Mary Queen of Scots (1542-1587) for their support as her loyalists fought to hold control of Scotland from the ever-increasing protestant reformers.

1500s early, Penkill Castle (right) was built three miles northeast of Girvan for Adam Boyd. Trochrague House (below) three miles north of Girvan was built a few years later for his son James.

The Boyd’s fought on the side of King Charles I (Mary’s grandson, King of Scotland and England) in the English Civil War. Charles I was eventually overthrown by the English Parliamentarian leader Cromwell and beheaded in 1649.

The third Earl of Kilmarnock opposed the Stuart claim to the English throne during the rising of 1715 against George I, Hanover (of German decent who succeeded Queen Anne, daughter of James II to the English throne).

The 4th Earl, William Boyd, fought for Prince Charles Edward Stuart (the Young Pretender) in an attempt to overthrow George II, Hanover. Prince Charles appointed him a member of the Privy Council with the rank of general. The fourth Earls capture at the Battle of Culloden led to a trial at the Tower of London followed by his beheading on Tower Hill August 18th 1746. John Walkinshaw Craufurd, 20th Laird of Craufurdland, only two miles from Dean, was faithful to the house of Hanover. Craufurd though had remained a friend of the Jacobite Earl of Kilmarnock. He accompanied his friend, 4th Earl, William Boyd, to the scaffold in London as a last act of comradeship. He received the earl’s severed head and arranged his funeral.

Although the Boyd titles were confiscated, the 4th Earl's son James was able to reclaim the estate since he had fought on the Government side. However, he soon sold the lands of Kilmarnock when he inherited the Earldom of Erroll from his mother and then took the name Hay. When the 22nd Earl of Erroll died without a male heir in 1941, his daughter became the Countess of Erroll and Chief of Clan Hay while her brother changed his name back to Boyd and became 6th Lord Kilmarnock and Chief of Clan Boyd. He was succeeded in 1975 by the 7th Lord Kilmarnock.

The last private owner of Dean Castle, Howard De Walden, gifted the castle and its contents to the people of Kilmarnock in 1975. Dean has since served as a Country Park free of charge. See Country Parks for more information on free tours of the castle.

Law Castle was restored in the 1990s by an Englishman. The castle can now be booked for self contained holidays, weddings and corporate events. See Castle Holidays dor more information.

Portencross Castle is now a ruin that attracts large numbers of visitors. There is a car park, picnic area and scenic seaside walk close to the castle.

Penkill Castle was sold by Evelyn May Courtney Boyd in 1978 to an Elton A Ecstrand from Michigan USA. The property is now said to be owned now by the famed movie producer Patrick Drumgoole.

Trochrague House is now run by a religious order that offers holidays to people with special needs.